this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2024
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[–] PM_ME_VINTAGE_30S@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

EDIT: I rolled a critical fail in reading comprehension and I thought the other track was N per integer instead of 1 per real number in the previous version of this comment.

The people in the real number track are already dead by the time the trolley arrives due to the forces involved in cramming them so tightly together. I.e. they are basically just a gore pile the moment after the people are somehow arranged like that.

I pick the real number track so that no one new has to die.

[–] iAvicenna@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I am sure even countably infinite people would violate some law of thermodynamics.

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[–] repungnant_canary@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I actually would like to choose the track where the number of people increases by one (so 1, 2, 3, 4...) and then the train will kill -1/12 people

PS Yes, I know this sum result is problematic, it's only a joke

[–] Omega_Haxors@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago

Pull it -1/12 of the way, causing the infinity to converge to a real number.

[–] RobertOwnageJunior@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

I quickly carry the people to the other side so they all can get run over.

[–] gandalf_der_12te@feddit.de 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

build new tracks to make the trolley run on (possibly in circles).

[–] 4am@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

Slip the switch, like always

[–] Wilzax@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

The existence of the bottom track would imply an infinite density of people, which would create a black hole and kill everyone involved, regardless of the trolley's presence

[–] Sabre363@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago

Do nothing - maximum destruction

[–] Evilsandwichman@hexbear.net 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Is it possible to get this thing to skid on both rails? You'll only be killing an infinite number of people anyway.

[–] lolcatnip@reddthat.com 2 points 2 years ago

That doesn't kill any more people than if you just stay on the real number track.

[–] SasquatchBanana@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (6 children)

I have a tangential question I have been wanted an explanation for:

If there are infinite universes, would there be infinite earth's?

I remember (an) answer is infinite universes doesn't necessarily mean infinite earth's. A cool analogy of a CD rack was used when I read it, but I can't find it. Does anyone else have an explanation and/or analogy for this?

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[–] veniasilente@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago

Since there's an infinite number of people to kill in either case I can just do nothing, and thus by inaction most of those infinite people will have more than enough time for someone else to rescue them. Maybe the State, that's what they're there for.

[–] FMEEE@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 years ago

Probably pull the leaver cuz then I can jump in front of the train.

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